Caraway is a versatile, aromatic spice with sharp notes of licorice and warm citrus.
Traditionally, caraway plays a starring role in sauteed cabbage, sauerkraut, and rye bread.
Lori Rice
Caraway is a lesser-known (but equally tasty!)
Lori Rice
spice native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
Caraway’s quintessential, slightly lemony, spicy, licorice-like flavor is hard to miss.
In this guide, we will explore all of the ins and outs of this unique spice.
Lori Rice
Caraway
What it is: Caraway “seeds” are actually dried fruits!
Contrary to popular belief, caraway “seeds” are actually dried fruits.
Caraway seeds can be used whole or ground up to flavor a dish.
Lori Rice
Some cultures even use the leaves of the caraway plant for a garnish or base of a soup.
Many European and Middle Eastern cuisines cook with caraway in unique ways.
Hungarian and Austrian cuisines often add caraway to meats and stews.
Rye bread recipes across Scandinavian and Eastern European countries often add caraway seeds for additional texture and flavor.
Caraway and cumin seeds look very similar, though cumin seeds are lighter in color and less curved.
Fennel seeds have a greener hue and taste mainly of licorice.
Caraway seeds, on the other hand, boast an array of complex flavors.
Whole Caraway Seeds vs.
Ground Caraway Seeds
It is more common to find caraway seeds than ground caraway in recipes.
This is because ground caraway has a strong flavor and can often be overpowering.
Simply grind the seeds in an electric spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
Where to Buy
you might buy caraway seeds in the spice section of most grocery stores.
They are also available for purchase at specialty online spice shops.
How to Store
Caraway should be stored in an airtight container away from light.
Expect caraway seeds to stay fresh anywhere between six months to a year.
The best replacement is likely fennel seeds; fennel mirrors the licorice-like essence of caraway.
you could substitute with a one-to-one ratio.
Alternatively, anise seeds are another suitable substitute.
Despite the similarities in appearance, I would not recommend cumin seeds as a substitute.
